What is trauma?

Trauma happens when someone experiences a frightening and dangerous event that affects their mental health. Many people in New Jersey face traumatic events like sexual assault and violent crime each year. In 2023, there were over 20,000 violent crimes reported to New Jersey police. According to the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, half of all women and one-third of all men in our state have experienced sexual violence during their lives. The good news is that help is available.

How Trauma Affects People

After experiencing a traumatic event, your body and mind may react in different ways. These reactions are called trauma responses. Common trauma responses include:

• Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of what happened;
• Having flashbacks or nightmares about the event;
• Feeling constantly nervous, on edge, or expecting danger;
• Having trouble sleeping or changes in appetite;
• Feeling sad, anxious, or depressed; or
• Blaming yourself for what happened.

Everyone responds to trauma differently. There is no “normal” way to respond to trauma.

How Therapy Helps

Talking about traumatic experiences can be hard, but research has shown that therapy really helps. A therapist can help you:

• Understand your reactions to the trauma;
• Learn ways to manage difficult feelings;
• Develop coping skills for when memories come up;
• Rebuild your sense of safety and trust; and
• Move forward with your life.

New Jersey offers many options for therapy. It’s important to find services that are specifically designed for trauma survivors.

What makes trauma-informed care different?

Trauma-informed care is an approach where providers consider how trauma affects people when trying to assist. Agencies that provide services with trauma-informed care make it a priority to:

• Ask "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?";
• Create an emotionally safe environment;
• Build trust at your pace;
• Be honest and clear about the process;
• Include you in decisions about your care;
• Respect your choices and boundaries; and
• Consider your personal background and experiences.

This approach helps people heal without feeling judged or blamed.

How to Access Services in New Jersey

If you have health insurance:

You can call the number on the back of your insurance card or search your insurance website to find providers who accept your plan. Many people find this process overwhelming. If that’s the case for you, try one of the other options below.

For any New Jersey resident:

New Jersey’s NJMentalHealthCares hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) is available to assist any New Jersey resident. Hotline staff find appropriate resources near you based on your needs, location, insurance status, and income. They also provide referrals for other needs such as legal, housing, employment, and substance abuse help. Many of the counseling centers they refer to offer sliding scale fees. This means the cost is based on what you can afford. If you have limited income, services may be completely free.

For those under 21:

Any parent/guardian of a child under 21 or an adult between the ages of 18 and 21 can contact PerformCare at 877-652-7624 (available 24 hours a day). PerformCare will help anyone under 21 years old regardless of immigration or insurance status. PerformCare will schedule an assessment to determine what support is needed. If therapy is requested or recommended, the child is connected to in-home therapy. PerformCare also can provide support services to the entire family to help them heal.

Trauma recovery centers:

Several communities in New Jersey have specialized Trauma Recovery Centers (TRCs) offering free services:

• University Hospital Newark: 973-972-0643 (ages 12+, serves Essex County)
• Jersey City Medical Center: 201-839-2644 (ages 5+, serves Hudson County)
• Center for Family Services: 877-922-2377 (serves Camden County)

These centers focus on trauma survivors and provide therapists, case managers, legal advocates, housing assistance, and psychiatric services at no cost to help survivors in their recovery.

For those who report to law enforcement:

If you choose to report to authorities, you may qualify for services through the Victims of Crime and Compensation Office (VCCO). Victims of certain violent crimes in New Jersey can apply for support through VCCO if they have specific needs, such as counseling. VCCO may cover the cost of counseling with many private therapists. However, there are limits on how much financial assistance can be provided. See If You Have Been the Victim of a Crime, New Jersey’s Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) May Be Able to Help for more information.

Crisis Support

If you begin experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if your symptoms worsen between therapy sessions, seek immediate help by:

• Going to a hospital;
• Visiting a crisis center; or
• Calling the 988 Lifeline.

Additional Resources

The New Jersey Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides a directory of services organized by county. See Directory of Mental Health Services for more information.

This information last reviewed: Apr 8, 2025